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The chaos of the smile theory: An Update

Smile. Schmaichel.

Smile theory therapy. Yup, you read that right. Today, I am 6 months in, and still on task. I share with all of my fellow humans, my smile therapy cause, and update, in the hopes that the contagion of a smile, made by seeking eye contact and sharing with any and all individuals and groups I encounter, will elicit a return smile. May those strangers, knowingly or unknowingly, share that smile forward throughout their day. May this much-needed therapy for me, have a similar effect for those that carry on, unaware that they have been smiled upon… and may the smile spread across the world, like the butterfly effect.

It works. Even our ice cream contagiously smiled back upon open!

Smile a bit in traffic at your fellow drivers if they can look up from their smartphones. Let that car edging out of a parking lot, get out in front of you, even though you may miss the green light. Hold open that door for those behind you. Wave and say hello across to the people walking across the street from you. Let’s act differently. Let us all smile a bit more and share some contagion that needs no doctor.

Six months ago, I made a conscious start while I walked with my Gatsby. Five out of five complete strangers smiled back at me and wished me a fine morning. As total unknowns, we schmoozed (talked) about the beautiful day ahead, the cuteness of my pup, the way the sun felt so nice on our backs.

Those butterflies, they know…

The butterfly effect is the concept that small causes can have large effects.

And remember, just when that caterpillar thought the whole world was over, what did she become? A butterfly. A meshuggeneh (crazy) flight pattern, some lovely flowers to flutter by, freedom, and a touch of sunshine on her wings.

The bitterest misfortune can be covered up with a smile. Dem bitersten mazel ken men farshtellen mil a schmaichel.

I gotta happily report back to you, 9 times out of 10 okay, some days, it is 7 out of 10, most people smiled right back at me. Me! They didn’t know me from Adam who the f*ck is Adam anyway. But when we locked eyes, and I let out my inner Mona Lisa, bam! Like a ray of light that shines through your window and warms your soul, these beautiful perfect strangers lobbed back some pearly whites right at me. Priceless!

Smile. Schmaichel.

My hope is that this therapy will reach you, wherever you may be residing. And may the effect linger, lovingly and empathetically, to all in its spell. We all may be able to heal this shit show of a vulnerable, unhappy world after all. So, can you try this too? Too much is going on. As people, we need to heal. Are you in with me? Let me know how your smile therapy goes. Please. It can’t hurt. Nu?

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66 thoughts on “The chaos of the smile theory: An Update”

One of the things about British driving that still amazes me is that people will give a quick wave–sometimes nothing more than a lifted finger (no, not the middle one)–in return for another driver holding back to let them into traffic. Maybe not in the bigger cities, but out here in the countryside? Definitely. If someone doesn’t, I feel cheated.

I am smiling reading this! You’re so gorgeous I love your energy and your passion to make this world so much better! I have been walking Hudson and people are stopping to pat him and I’ve met some lovely neighbours and plenty of other dog walkers it’s been great! Thanks for linking up #mg

I do this! You know I feel very similarly about things as you do, and that if we all just spread a little joy, life would be a far less bleak looking affair. I met my best friend because I smiled at her on a bus one day. Thanks for linking up to the #bigpinklink this week.

In the effort to make my life more positive and to think more positive I have smiled more but I can not remember if I’ve smiled at other people. I usually am zoned out when in public spaces and my mind has been very distracted lately but now I will make the conscious effort to smile at strangers. I do the door holding thing and letting others before me in traffic but that to me is just common courtesy. This is interesting. I will try it today when I go out to the grocery store:) #MondayStumble

I can’t wait to hear what happens! It is very fulfilling to know you may have turned someone’s day, for the better, with your upside down frown! BTW< found you in spam, so you are not going crazy! xoxo #mondaystumble have a super weekend!

What a beautiful idea. I think I do this a lot naturally and often smile at people on walks out. Not every time though… I shall endeavour to pass this on now though! ‪Thank you for linking up to the #familyfunlinky‬

Reading this made me smile 😀 And I love the ice cream face!
I also enjoy the jiddish, and I recognise many of the words from knowing German and Swedish (the latter being my mother tongue).
Keep smiling, and have a nice weekend! 😊x

Aww Lisa I love this! I’m sat reading on the train home from work and it worked as you’ve passed me a huge grin while I was reading! I’m now on a mission to pass it on. Wish me luck! Thanks for linking to #DreamTeam xx

I love this. One of the best things about living where we do is that most people smile and say hello as they pass in the street. When we lived near London people would look the other way or cross the street if you smiled and tried to say hello like they thought you were crazy. I don’t get it. I smile costs nothing at all but can totally lift a persons mood.
Thank you for joining #FamilyFunLinky x

They say that smiling is contagious and I agree – I was smiling by the end of this post! I try to do this most days and it surprises me the number of people who don’t smile back. I actually feel sorry for them. Good for you for spreading some joy, it’s shame that more people aren’t like you and I. Thanks for sharing this with #TriumphantTales, hope to see you again on Tuesday!

What a lovely uplifting post! I usually smiles at the people I walked passed. I remembered when Ethan was 4years old. We walked to his nursery and we saw an elderly man walking out of his front door and getting into his car. He said “Good morning!” to us and I replied “Good Morning!”. But Ethan just looked at him and walked passed his drive. I explained later that when some smiles and greet us with “Good Morning” we should replied with the same greetings. Ethan told me that he didn’t want to say “Good Morning” to the man – he wanted to High-Five! lol!

Ooo I remember your original post on this and I’m so glad that you’ve kept it going. I am naturally a really smiley person (I had the nickname “Smiler” in high school) so I can’t help but smile at the people I meet. And, as the song goes, “You’re never fully dressed without a smile!” #blogcrush